Ph.D. in Biology, Mentor: Dr. Paul A. Moore, Bowling Green State University- Bowling Green, Ohio
M.S. in Biology, Mentor: Dr. Paul A. Moore, Bowling Green State University- Bowling Green, Ohio
B.S. in Marine Science and Biology, University of Alabama- Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Dr. Wofford-Mares specializes in aquatic and marine biology, animal behavior and communication. Her research and classroom experiences have led her to study unique organisms such as crayfish, sea anemones, apple snails and even humans. She has been published in various journals, including the Journal of Crustacean Biology. Her interests include how organisms gain information from their environment and how that affects their behavior and performance.

Dr. Wofford-Mares believes a huge part of learning is making content engaging and relevant, helping her students to think and behave like scientists. In previous courses, Wofford-Mares helped students launch semester-long research experiments, discuss complex biological topics with experts in the field, and even take an “escape room” themed final. 

Outside of the lab and the classroom, Wofford-Mares loves conservation and scientific outreach. She gives talks at state parks, engaging with citizen science projects and educating the public about human impacts on local ecosystems. She has spent many summers on the Emerald Coast and loves getting the chance to share the area’s robust biodiversity with others. When Wofford-Mares is not on campus, she loves traveling to new places and trying new foods with her husband, plus snuggling with her cat (Bandit) and dog (Daisy). She also enjoys disc golf, hiking, and just being outside.

Curriculum Vitae